Continental Sport Contact 3 Reviews - Page 4

Given 77% while driving a Mercedes Benz C180 AMG Sport Estate (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 18,500 average miles
OEM fitment tyre on our 2012 Mercedes C class estate. Rear tyres lasted 18500 miles which is ok but not exceptional. Grip was good throughout the 3 years on the car and was still good when replaced at 2.3 mm. Fronts only half worn, still have 4.5 mm after 20000 miles so expect to see circa 30000 from them. Most use has been local driving or long distance motorway use but on the odd occasion I have driven them spiritedly on A roads they have gripped well in both wet and dry conditions and feedback has been good and predictable. My only observation is that they have suffered micro cracking on the shoulder which I would not have expected on a premium tyre that has been maintained at the correct pressure throughout it's life. No deterioration in performance but it looks a little unsightly. Overall a good tyre but now superseded by the Contisport 5.
Helpful 12 - tyre reviewed on September 12, 2015
Given 89% while driving a Volvo S60 2.0T (225/45 R17) on mostly town for 25,000 average miles
The Continental Sport Contact 3s replaced CSC 2s about 32 months ago in December 2012 and with regular balancing and rotation (every 10,000 kms / 6,250 miles / 6 months)) have travelled 42,000 kms (c. 25,000 miles). I live in Johannesburg, and our roads are not particularly well maintained. I have driven to/from Durban at least 4 times (say 800 miles round trip)during this period as well as off-road in the Pilanesberg Nature Reserve a couple of times, and a few other long distance trips (about 200 miles each one). No flat tyres at all (surprisingly!) and these tyres have lasted me the 'longest'. They are though quite 'noisy' now, and I shall be replacing them at 45,000km (28,125 miles), and in all likelihood with CSC 5s.
Helpful 13 - tyre reviewed on September 9, 2015
Given 50% while driving a Ford Focus (235/40 R18 W) on a combination of roads for 10,000 average miles
Jest had first service car has 9924 miles on clock told will have to renew tyres in 2000 miles. that's jest 12000 miles
Helpful 11 - tyre reviewed on September 8, 2015
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Given 66% while driving a Vauxhall (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 10,000 spirited miles
Great dry grip and really progressive through bends, car slides progressively when driven on the edge of the tyres performance. Dry breaking amongst the best, wet performance is average. The wear rate is poor though, managed 10k on the fronts and they're in the wear indicators. The backs have worn around 2mm in comparison as a non-driven pair.

Superb in the dry, good enough in the wet. Wear far too quickly.
Helpful 13 - tyre reviewed on July 4, 2015
Given 59% while driving a Mercedes Benz C250 CDI Blutec (225/45 R18 W) on a combination of roads for 5,000 average miles
The grip levels are great but i cannot stand how quickly they wear. I have done 6000 miles from new and i have to replace them soon. I know i drive hard some times (great grip then) but i couldn't buy again based on the wear rate and high price.
Helpful 12 - tyre reviewed on May 25, 2015
Given 63% while driving a Audi A4 SE 2.0 TDI 136 (225/45 R17) on mostly town for 17,000 easy going miles
These came as standard on a new A4 Technik (225/50/R17).

Its difficult to separate the harsh ride that comes with sport suspension from the tyre performance but I felt the tyres were adequate.

They felt a little soft and imprecise at the limits of cornering and in wet weather but never caused any concerns. Prone to wheel spin from a standing start in some conditions. Good braking in wet and dry. Tyre noise was on the limit of acceptable.

One thing I can say for sure is that the wear rate was problematic. I got less than 17000 from the front pair (FWD) with faster wear on the shoulder. However, if you want performance tyres you're going to get a softer compound and faster wear. Its all compromise.

Despite the disappointing wear rate I replaced the front pair with ContiSportContact 5 hoping the newer tyre is better. It probably won't.
Helpful 13 - tyre reviewed on April 20, 2015
Given 63% while driving a Mercedes Benz E300 Bluetech Hybrid (245/40 R18) on a combination of roads for 0 average miles
the CSC3 came standard with my E300 front 245/40 rear 265/35. I've had them for a year a I am now considering changing to Michelin Pilot SS. They wore out very fast, after 30k km I started noticing the difference in how the car grips. I wouldn't recommend this tyre
Helpful 14 - tyre reviewed on March 5, 2015
Given 61% while driving a Volvo V70R (225/45 R17) on mostly country roads for 2,000 spirited miles
I had these on the front of my Volvo V70 R, Completely useless in the wet, traction was more or less non existent. The grip on dry roads wasn't too bad but not what you would expects from a premium tyre. What finished it for me was under steer on a roundabout in rush hour with the kids in the car. No more conti's for me
Helpful 11 - tyre reviewed on March 3, 2015
Given 33% while driving a BMW 530d (245/40 R18) on a combination of roads for 5,000 spirited miles
For the price they are not very good. I had cheaper tyres on previously which wear much better in all categories. Disappointing tyre which I won't buy again. Grip is not very good. I lost control on a muddy road and narrowly missed going into a hedge. I have lost confidence driving at higher speeds with these tyres.
Helpful 12 - tyre reviewed on February 23, 2015
Given 37% while driving a Citroën DS5 2.0 Hdi (225/45 R18 W) on a combination of roads for 4,000 average miles
My new Citroen DS5 came with these. I know the DS5 gets mixed reviews due to below par ride and steering. However, after 4k miles I became convinced the Continentals were partly to blame.

Took the plunge and changed wheels and tyres for 17" Falken EuroAll Season AS200's. Transformation! No more tramlining, or strong pulling with the camber, way less steering kickback over bumps, softer, quieter ride. Why Citroen fit the Continentals I cannot imagine, perhaps they got a job lot? (Contact 3's still being supplied in 2014?)

I have sampled Sport Contacts on other FWD cars in the past and not been impressed. I think, reading some of the reports here, that the tyres are better suited to RWD cars? Oh and the wear rate is awful, after 4K miles fronts will be shot at 12 to 15k miles.
Helpful 12 - tyre reviewed on January 25, 2015
Given 96% while driving a Skoda Octavia GT 193hp (205/50 R17 V) on a combination of roads for 24,000 average miles
After a lot of experiments on my wheels,i decided to go back to oem setup (205/50/17) as i had bought it with the other oem option 205/55/16. I had tried 225/45/17 four 6 years. So,i found 4 used Contisport3 ( they had been driven for more than 40.oookms,with 4,5-5mm left) from a friend of mine in order to see how my car handles on that tyre size.And...I could not believe it!!! These used Contis were superb!!! Dry and wet grip is outstanding even after more than 40.oookms!!! On icy roads were very predictable and good! Fuel consumption is ok and stopping distances quite good. And it is an FWD Skoda Octavia GT 1.8T,remmaped 240hp,with PSS9,4pots GALFER ,From mount intercooler and a lot of other things.I will probably buy or 4 brand new Contisport5 as i am very satisfied with Continental either the much cheaper Kumho Ecsta KU31 SPT.
Helpful 13 - tyre reviewed on January 11, 2015
Given 83% while driving a Ford Fiesta mk7 (195/45 R16 V) on mostly town for 37,282 spirited miles
Perfect tyres for my fiesta mk7 sport. Very good for dry in hot summer and make me feel very confident in the rain. My front tyres have traveled about 24.854 miles (40.000 km) and the rear 37.282 miles in 2 years time(60.000 km). Although the wear was very obvious, the tires were enough grippy for my aggressive driving style and feel that there is more to give. The only negative is that because of the soft sides, if tyre pressure is low, tyres get damaged from inside creating curves. My 4 tyres are damaged so today I replaced them with 40% cheaper Barum Bravuris 3 (how bad can they be).
Definitely, for my driving style and my expectations (value/quality), Conti SportContact3 are the golden section for wear and grip.
Helpful 13 - tyre reviewed on January 9, 2015